Two precious young souls, siblings, tragically lost their lives after being swept away by the swift currents of a creek in San Bernardino County on Tuesday, authorities sadly announced.
Responding swiftly to distress calls, the dedicated rescuers of the San Bernardino County Fire Department rushed to Mill Creek near the Thurman Flats picnic area off Highway 38 around 4:05 p.m., as recounted in a heart-wrenching news release.
The harrowing ordeal unfolded as the 4-year-old girl and her 2-year-old brother were enjoying a family outing with their mother. Tragically, the young girl tumbled into the rapid waters while her mother was tending to her little brother.
Desperately searching for her daughter, the mother’s panic heightened when she realized her son was also missing, presumably swept away by the unforgiving current.
Despite frantic efforts by the mother and another family member, their searches proved futile in the face of the relentless flow of the creek.
Drawing on a unified effort, deputies from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, air rescue teams, and U.S. Forest Service crews, alongside others, rallied together in a valiant search for the young siblings.
The heartbreaking saga took a devastating turn when the 4-year-old girl was discovered at approximately 4:39 p.m., followed by her 2-year-old brother at around 5:09 p.m., both tragically found near the water’s edge.
Heartrending footage captured at the scene and shared by KTLA depicted rescue workers fervently administering CPR to one of the children, their efforts underscored by an urgency to save precious lives.
Despite exhaustive attempts to revive them, both children were transported to local hospitals where, despite the tireless endeavors of medical personnel, they were ultimately declared deceased, leaving a community in mourning.
Details surrounding this heart-wrenching tragedy remain scant, leaving only a profound sense of loss and sorrow in its wake.
